A village shrine to the god Kataragama, southwest of Kandy, famous for the carved wooden pillars of its drummers' hall. Every pillar and beam is cut with swans, dancers, wrestlers, soldiers on horseback and hybrid creatures, and tradition says some of the woodwork came from a royal hall at Gampola. It is one of the most celebrated pieces of medieval Sinhalese carving on the island. At 45 minutes, it works well slotted between larger visits rather than as a standalone destination.
What It Is
Step into the drummers' hall and the wooden pillars close in around you, each one cut from base to capital with figures you have to lean in to see.
Why Visit
See some of the finest medieval woodcarving in Sri Lanka in a village setting with few other visitors. It is not the first thing you should see in Kandy, but with two or more days it fills a gap the major sights leave. It pairs naturally with Lankatilaka Vihara and Gadaladeniya Raja Maha Viharaya - add it before or after without rearranging your day. Mornings are quieter if you want to take your time.
More on Kandy
See where it ranks among the things to do in Kandy. The Kandy guide covers transport, costs and when to go.
We plan trips to Kandy and the rest of Sri Lanka. Tell us your dates and we will put a route together. Our routes are on the tours page.
